Electrochemical device



Jan. 27, 1970 l 1 H, RlSEMAN ET AL 3,492,216

ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICE n Filed March 9, 1967 AVA INVENTORS JOHN H. RISE MAN FIG. i BYSTANLEY SHILL'ER' SML ATTORNEY United States Patent Oli 3,492,216 Patented Jan. 27, 1970 3,492,216 ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICE llohn H. Riseman, Cambridge, and Stanley Shiller, Needham, Mass., assgnors to Orion Research Incorporated, Cambridge, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Mar. 9, 1967, Ser. No. 621,895 Int. Cl. B01k 3/04 U.S. Cl. 204-195 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An electrochemical electrode structure having an elongated body with au axial chamber and an annular chamber, both separated from one another. Both chambers contain a reference electrode and a reference electrolyte. One end of the structure includes an inset, at, ionsensitive membrane forming a wall for the axial chamber. An annual leak, communicating with the annular chamber, surrounds and is spaced from the membrane surface, that end of the structure therefore providing a substantially flat, ridgeless surface.

This invention relates to electrochemical devices and more particularly to an electrode structure for electrochemical analysis and a method of electrochemical diagnosis of diseased conditions.

It is known that ion-sensitive electrodes can be formed comprising membranes of ionically conductive material. These ionically conductive materials are used to separate two aqueous solutions, one of which is a reference solution ,having a substantially fixed concentration of ions, the other of which is a sample solution containing the ions, the concentration or activity of which is to be determined. A potential develops across the membrane in accordance with the well-known Nernst equation as a function of an ionic component of the sample solution and is usually measured with a high, input impedance electrometer.

Specifically, such membranes may comprise certain salts of anions, such as bromide, chloride and sulfide, highly insoluble in aqueous solution, typically as quasiamorphous masses or highly compressed polycrystallites. Such membranes can also be massive monocrystals of rare earth iluorides for sensing fluoride ions, or they may simply be known glasses sensitive, for example, to hydrogen, sodium or potassium ions. These membranes can also be formed of liquid ion-exchange material held in an inert, porous substrate.

Ordinarily, the measurement of electrochemical potential with this type of electrode involves the use of a reference electrode which is simultaneously in contact with the sample solution and is intended to maintain a constant potential with respect to the sample solution regardless of variations in the compositions of the latter. The reference electrode usually is an electrochemical half-cell comprising a suitable metal in Contact with a substantially fixed concentration of its ions in aqueous solution, and means are provided so that the ionic medium of the half-cell can communicate via a liquid junction with the sample fluid.

Usually in orderto insure that both electrodes are simultaneously in contact with the sample solution there must be a substantial quantity of the latter (eg. 1 ml. or more). Particularly, where the ion-sensitive surface portion of the :membrane of an ion-sensitive electrode is typically quite large (e.g. 1 cm.2 or greater), it is important to have sufficient sample solution available to cover entirely that surface. Thus, ordinary electrodes with such large ion-sensitive area are not considered microelectrodes. The advantage 0f a larger electrode is, of course, that it is usually considerably less fragile than conventional microelectrodes and is easier and less expensive to fabricate.

It is known that an ion-sensitive electrode and a reference electrode can be combined in a single structure for simplification and convenience, as for example, exemplilied by the structure disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,755,243. However, such combination electrodes are not suitable for use as electrochemical sensors with microsamples of solution, nor can they readily Ibe scaled down to microelectrode size without considerable expense and effort.

A principal object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a novel combination electrode which, while of standard size, will readily measure ionic activities in microsamples, e.g. a few ,u liters. Other objects of the invention are to provide such combination electrodes which produce rapid, readily reproducible measurements; to provide such an electrode which is simple to use and can be made in extremely rugged form; and to provide such an electrode in which the liquid junction is easily cleaned.

A particularly diiiicult problem in dealing with microsamples of test solution lies in the area of sample holdup. Ordinarily, if an ion-sensitive electrode is contacted with a sample and a measurement made, a small amount of sample will remain on the ion-sensitive surface, and unless removed will tend to introduce spurious effects into the next measurement made. This problem becomes particularly acute when working with very small samples and large electrodes, because a substantial portion of the sample `will tend to adhere to the large electrode surface and, of course, will be large in proportion to the volume of the next microsample. Where successive microsamples are of substantially disparate strength with respect to the ion of interest, the spurious effects are substantially magnied. Therefore, another object of the present invention is to provide an electrode structure of substantially ordinary size (compared to conventional pH electrodes or the like used in ordinary laboratory work with gross samples) which exhibit a minimum hold-up.

Other objects of the present invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter. The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing the construction, combination of elements, and arrangements of parts and the several steps and the relation of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others; all of which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevated schematic View of a section through a portion of an electrode embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a section through a portion of an electrode of FIG. 1 taken along the line 2 2; and

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the electrode of FIG. 1 showing the ion-sensitive portion thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 1 there will be seen an embodiment of the electrode structure of the present invention including means for containing a body of reference electrolytic fluid and comprising preferably a doublewalled container formed of outer shell 20 and inner tube 22. Preferably shell 20 and tube 22 are hollow cylinders and are coaxial with one another, shell 20 being larger in diameter than a central portion of tube 22. Shell 20 is preferably both formed of a high electrically resistive,

preferably optically transparent, substantially chemically inert material (at least to the electrolytes invloved), such as polyvinylchloride, polytetrafluorethylene or the like. Tube 22 can be made from an electrically insulating, opaque material such as epoxy plastic or the like. One end 24 of shell 20 is internally conically tapered so that the opening at end 24 is enlarged, i.e. of greater diameter than the internal diameter of the remainder of the shell. End 24 of shell 20 terminates in a substantially flat manner, i.e. lies in a cross-sectional plane, so that the intersection of the internal conical taper and that plane forms a. sharp circular edge 26 at the internal periphery of the opening at end 24.

Tube 22, which is of lesser internal diameter than and is spaced from the internal surfaces of shell 20, has one end portion 28 thereof shaped as a frustoconical member aring outwardly to increase the external diameter of the tube. The conical angle of end portion 28 is matched to the angle of the internal taper of end 24 so that the two can be nested. End portion 28 is dimensioned so that when properly nested, planar surface 30 forming the frustum of the cone is coplanar with the plane of end 24. Preferably, both the internal surface of the taper of end 24 and the conical surface of end portion 28 are roughened so that the surface-to-surface junction 32 of the two provides a controllable leak as will appear hereinafter.

The central portion of surface 30 surrounding the opening to the internal portion of tube 22 is recessed or dished out to provide cavity 34. Fitted within cavity 34 is an ion-sensitive membrane 36, selected from the types hereinbefore described, preferably shaped as a disk, i.e. a short cylinder with planar, parallel end surfaces 38 and 40. Membrane 36 is disposed so that it ts tightly or is cemented so as to be leak-sealed around its periphery and surface 38 is coplanar and substantially contiguous with surfaces 30 and the plane of end 24, surface 40 being therefore a closure for the end of the inside of tube 22. Thus, edge 26 lies adjacent the conical periphery of tube 22 and the intersection of the t-wo forms a concentric ring surrounding and coplanar -with surface 38.

The other end 42 of tube 22 is slightly enlarged in diameter so as to tit snugly within shell 20 and the tube and shell are dimensioned so that when end portions 24 and 28 are nested, end 42 protrudes slightly beyond the other end 44 of the shell. End 42 is threaded about its external cylindrical periphery. End 44 adjacent the opening to the interior of the shell is beveled and supports in the bevel sealing means such as deformable O-ring 46.

Cap means 48 are provided, having an internal thread adapted to mesh with the threads on end 42 and having a central aperture 50 cap means 48 are dimensioned so that when engaged with end 42, an edge of the cap bears an O-ring 46 and closing rotation of the cap means tends to force the frustoconical end of tube 22 into nesting relation with the taper of end 24 of shell 20.

The interspace between tube 22 and shell 20 is intended to contain a reference electrode half-cell, and for this reason, typically at least the central portion of tube 22 is coated with silver-silver chloride layer 52 and the nterspace lled with reference electrolyte 54, such as saturated KCl having the usual substantially xed chloride and silver levels. Layer 52 is connected to lead 55 which conveniently extends outwardly through central aperture 50 as a coaxial cable.

Positioned within tube 22 and extending preferably from a position adjacent end (but not touching membrane 36) to and throughseal or plug 56 adjacent opposite end 42 of the tube, is electrically conductive reference electrode 58, usually of a metal and a salt thereof selected according to the nature of the ion to be measured, Thus, as shown, plug 56, tube 22, and membrane 36 form an enclosure in which is disposed a body of reference electrolyte 60 in contact with both membrane 36 and electrode 6.. Electrode 56 is connected to the usual 4. coaxial cable 62 which preferably extends through the central aperture of the cap. Conveniently, electrode 56 is a hollow tube so that the enclosure within which it is positioned can be filled by forcing uid through the electrode itself from its upper end.

Typically, where membrane 36 is silver chloride, electrode 56 can be a silver-electrode and electrolyte 58 can be an aqueous solution with fixed silver levels, e.g. 0.1 N AgNO3. Other typical electrode-electrolyte materials, depending on the nature of the membrane, will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

In operation, leads 62 and 65 are coupled to an appropriate electrometer and the planar, substantially ridgeless end of the electrode, formed by surfaces 38 and 30 and the flat portion of end 24, is placed in contact with the aqueous solution containing the ions, the activity of which is to be tested. As well known in the art, the potentials at the interface between layer 52 and electrolyte 54, and -between electrode 58 and electrolyte 60 are substantially xed. Similarly, the potential at the area where surface 40 contacts electrolyte I60 is also fixed. However, the potential at surface 38 will, as before noted, vary according to the activity of the ion to which membrane 36 is responsive. In order to complete the circuit, however, it is necessary to provide a salt-bridge between the test solution and the reference electrode half-cell comprising electrolyte 54 and layer 52. Because the taper of end 24 and the frustocone of end portion 28, although nested, do not form a seal, a minute amount of leakage will occur in the interface between the two so that an angular ring of electrolyte will tend to form at edge 26. Typically, if the frustocone and taper are formed of plastic material, random grinding of the respective surfaces with a coarse abbrasive paper, such as #320 silicon carbide grit abrasive paper will insure that the proper controlled leakage will occur. Of course, the two surfaces should be roughened only to the extent necessary to provide the required electrical contact and should not permit leakage suicient to contaminate the sample seriously. For example, the leakage should be uniform around edge 26 and its rate should be established in the order of about 0.1 mL/day.

It will be apparent that the electrode can be readily disassembled simply by unscrewing cap 48 whereby access can be had to the interspace between the shell and tube as for cleaning of the reference electrode and of the liquid port 64 is provided through which electrolyte fluid can be injected into the interspace between the shell and tube.

Now the electrical circuit having been completed by the provision of the salt-bridge, any potential which arises across surface 38 will be accordingly apparent from the electrometer reading. Surprisingly, it has been found that with an electrode dimensioned -so that the diameter of edge 26 is about 1/2 and with a crystalline membrane of about diameter, a reading can be taken with test soution samples as small as 0.05 nl..

This attribute of the present invention is particularly important when the test `sample is not readily available as a body of liquid but is normally spread out over a surface, as for example, as is found when one wishes to make electrochemical determination of ion activity in.

perspiration on the skin of a subject. This is of particular importance inasmuch as in certain diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, it has been found that the salt concentration in the sweat is considerably greater than that in a normal individual. Hitherto, it has been extremely diicult to measure either sodium or chloride ion activity in perspiration directly on the skin of a patient, and to acquire an adequate volume of sample for use with standard elec trodes has been equally difficult. Most measurements made directly on the skin tend to exhibit severe drift and are very poorly reproducible. Concentrations of NaCl in normal perspiration are from about 2O to 40 milliequivalents per liter. Cystic brosis victims exhibit NaCl concentrations in their perspiration of from about 40 to 100 or more millequivalents per liter.

The present electrode therefore leads itself admirably to a method of diagnosing cystic tibroses because of the ability of the electrode to detect ion activity in extremely small samples on llat surfaces. One can use the present electrode to measure the absolute activity of chloride ion in perspiration on the skin but the problem of reproducibility nevertheless is not fully overcome. The optimum procedure is to clean an area of the skin of a patient thoroughly to remove oils, sebum, old perspiration and the like, by successive swabbing "with ether, water, or `similar solvents and then a final swabbing with a standardized pure solution containing 40 milliequivalents per liter of chloride. The electrode of the invention after careful cleaning of its exterior is theriemplaced so that the ion-onsitive membrane and the annular leakage path both contact the thin film of standardized solution on the patients skin. The electrometer is then observed for indication of the direction of drift. As the patients perspiration is `secreted and measured, if the patient does not have cystic fibrosis, his perspiration will `tend to dilute the concentration of chloride of the standardized vsolution or not affect it. Should the patient be alicted with crystic fibrosis, the high salt concentration of his perspiration will tend to increase the concentration of the chloride ion in the standardized solution. In either case, evaporation is not a particular problem inasmuch as the fluids under test are, for the most part, entrapped between the planar surface of the electrode and the patients skin. The direction of drift of the electrometer will be indicative of the chloride concentrations of the perspiration so that a diagnosis can be very quickly made. In order to avoid any problem arising out of possible contamination of the minute sweat sample by leakage from edge 26, the electrode can be filled with reference electrolyte 54 so that the latter also contains only 40 milliequivalents of chloride per liter.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall -be interpreted in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What isclaimed is:

1. An electrochemical electrode assembly, comprising;

elongated container means of electrically resistive material defining at least two separate cavities therein and having at least at one end thereof a substantially at portion;

a crystalline, imporous ion-sensitive membrane having a pair of opposed surfaces one of which is substantially flat, said membrane being sealed at one end of said container means so that the other of said surfaces forms a wall portion of one of said cavities and said hat surface is coplanar and substantially contiguous with said at portion;

said end of said container means having an annular leakage junction surrounding and spaced from said membrane and connected with the other of said cavities.

2. An electrochemical electrode assembly as defined in claim 1 including a first reference electrolyte and electrode in said one cavity, a second reference electrolyte and electrode in said other cavity; and

means providing an electrical connection between each said electrode and the outside of said container means.

3. An electrochemical electrode assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said container means comprises a pair of elongated separable hollow containers one of which is disposed within and spaced from the other such that the interior of one of said containers defines, at least in part, one of said cavities, and the interspace between said containers defines, at least in part, the other of said cavities.

4. An electrochemical electrode assembly as defined m claim 3, wherein one end of the inner one of said containers is substantially frustoconical and the inner surface adjacent an end of the other of said container is substantially conically tapered so that said ends of said containers nest with one another;

said membrane being disposed substantially centrally of said frustoconical end so that the lat surface of said membrane is coplanar with the fnistum of said frustoconical end.

5. An electrochemical electrode assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein the nested surfaces of said frustoconical and tapered ends are roughened so that when uid is in said interspace it can leak between said surfaces and the junction of the edge of said frustoconical end and the edge of said tapered end form said annular leakage junction.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,058,761 10/1936 Beckman et al 204-195.1 3,049,118 8/1962 Arthur et al 204195.1 3,188,285 6/ 1965 Watanabe et al. 204-195 T. TUNG, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 12S-2.1; 204-1 

